Russia Tries to Seize ‘World of Tanks’ Game Shares From Top Executives for Ukraine Support

Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office wants to seize all assets of the company that owns the “World of Tanks” gaming franchise due to the top executives’ pro-Ukrainian stance.

World of Tanks is an online multiplayer game where players control mid-20th-century tanks in team-based battles. The game has a large player base worldwide and enjoys a particularly strong popularity in Russia.

According to Russian news outlet RIA Novosti on April 26, the motion was brought forward against the gaming firm Lesta Games’ owner Malik Khatazhaev and Wargaming.net’s owner Viktor Kisly, due to the two’s alleged pro-Ukrainian positions that arose from the game’s donation campaigns for Ukraine.

Moscow has considered the campaigns for Ukraine as extremist activities, according to RIA Novosti.

Tech outlet Engadget reported that Wargaming transferred the Russian development of the game to Lesta Games in 2022, the year Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2023, World of Tanks – the branch under Wargaming – raised more than $1 million to purchase ambulances for Ukraine via a fundraising campaign.

The court wishes to seize all assets of Lesta, the company that owns the Russian development of the game.

Wargaming told Engadget that it does not have assets in Russia, presumably why Moscow is going after Lesta’s assets.

“Wargaming made a strategic exit from the Russian and Belarusian markets three years ago. The company disposed of its business in Russia and Belarus to the local management at zero cost and on a debt-free, cash-free basis, with no consideration to take it back. Wargaming doesn’t have any assets or business interests in Russia and Belarus,” its statement says.

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Meanwhile, Lesta said it is cooperating with Russian authorities to “resolve all issues that have arisen as quickly as possible.”

“We are providing full assistance to law enforcement agencies to resolve all issues that have arisen as quickly as possible... All necessary legal mechanisms have been activated,” the company said in a Telegram statement.

“We are a part of Russia and support its values. Our company, our employees and millions of players are people for whom patriotism, historical memory and social responsibility are not just words,” it added.